E3 07: Day One Wrapup

Written by John Scalzo  on July 12, 2007

Special: The new E3: More than meets the eye

Tweet

Comments

E3 2007 is in full swing and while the glitz and glamour may be turned down, the size and scope of the announcements is still as strong as ever. With new franchises making their debut and old friends showing up just when you need them to, it's a great time to be a gamer.

While it's impossible to keep up with all of the happenings of the big show, a few comments and impressions did bubble to the surface concerning many of yesterday's big news stories.

Gears of War (for PC) Fact Sheet
Gears of War coming to the PC was so inevitable that I think this news surprised maybe three people on the entire planet. And they're so out of touch, they refer to the current consoles (collectively) as something like the Nintendo Play Box.

But I'm not sure anybody would have guessed that it would make an appearance on PCs round the world so quickly. Cliffy B and other Epic executives would make vague hand-waving gestures when asked about Gears PC with the wistful sound of УsomedayФ in their voice. With an acting job that good, maybe they should be in pictures.

PSP Slim unveiled
Even in the face of a considerable blow to their ego, Sony refuses to give up their fight for the handheld market and taking a page from Nintendo's book and redesigning the PSP is a smart move.

While it's not the Уradical redesignФ many were expecting or a PSP 2 prototype with a second analog stick and touchscreen support that we all wished for, it does do one thing perfectly: the video out button. The video out button is a stroke of genius (and frankly, should have been included in the PSP's design from Day One). Coupled with a redesign that makes the whole package smaller, faster and less brick-like for a similar price ($199 for an УEntertainment PackФ) makes the PSP an attractive buy again.



Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Galaxy dated
November 12th and December 3rd. My calendar is already marked in red pen (okay, it's a big giant heart next to a Super Mushroom) for both of these titles. Knowing they're coming and knowing when they're coming is pretty close to the highlight of the show for me so far. I'm a Nintendo nerd and I'm not afraid to admit it.

Nintendo announces Mario Kart Wii
Speaking of being a Nintendo nerd, Mario Kart is going online with Mario Kart Wii (working title) early in 2008. While I predicted this in my У21 Predictions For E3 07Ф article, I'm still giddy to know a new Mario Kart title is coming. After the great Mario Kart DS and the УmediocreФ Double Dash!! I still consider the series the most accessible and most fun thing Nintendo has to offer. All those grandparents buying Wiis will get a kick out of the first time they play a Mario Kart game.

And Nintendo, if you're listening, I humbly offer up Mario Kart Wheeeeee! as a possible final title. Free of charge, it's yours.

See the new Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer
We now know exactly when it's coming (early 2008) and we know exactly where it's going (to the PS3 only). The latest trailer continues to expand on Hideo Kojima's vision of the last, great, grand finale to the Metal Gear Solid series. And he swears that this is definitely, no-foolin' the absolute last Metal Gear Solid game.

If that's true, Kojima and company plan to go out with a bang and the trailer is something you must really see for yourself.

Day Two Begins Now
This is just a small smattering of what was revealed during day one of the Уnew and improvedФ E3. We'll be here all week with continuing coverage of the show and our thoughts and impressions on all the various goings-on.